Chapter 35: New Clothes

In the evening, Meinang half-leaned on the soft couch, directing Cui Si and Cui Jian to massage her tired feet. Cui Xi was holding a bowl of lotus seed porridge, standing beside her, feeding her bite by bite. Wang Mama ordered the maids to add two more pots of burning charcoal to the room. She watched Mei Niang with a sigh, saying:

“After a whole day, you’re exhausted like this, and you don’t even want to eat. How will things go in the future? You need to learn to manage things, but there’s no need to rush. Madam is not pushing you, just take it slow.”

Meinang finished the last bite of the lotus seed porridge, took the tea offered by Cheng’er to rinse her mouth, and wiped her lips with a hot cloth. Smiling at Wang Mama, she said:

“Who says I don’t eat? Did you ask Cui Jian if she ate? I had her eat with me in the Third Madam’s courtyard. Originally, I thought managing a family with hundreds of people wouldn’t be too complicated, but it turns out it’s much harder than I expected. There are rules and procedures in place, and the Eldest Madam is overseeing the Zi Yun Hall for me, but she can’t always be with me. I must establish my own authority, so I need to put in some effort. After listening to the reports from the housekeepers, I’ve personally inspected various places to get familiar with the situation in the manor. Once I understand everything, I can settle things down and breathe a little easier. But this month will be tough soon it will be the Winter Solstice. After that, accounts need to be checked, goods and money need to be stored, and the New Year preparations need to be made… It’s all chaotic and troublesome, and I have to make sure everything is in order! Maybe I should just focus on managing the outer household. The inner courtyard is really a thankless job. If it weren’t for… this lotus seed porridge is very good, but a bit too sweet. Let’s put less sugar in the future!”

She put down the cloth, leaned back against the cotton pillow contentedly. “You two are quite clever, learning fast. Yes, just like that, press the right pressure points, that’s effective… It’s a pity, though, that I have some free time now but can’t play with Heng Ge’er.”

She looked towards the door. Two maids were picking up the door curtains to leave, and Wang Mama stepped closer, saying: “They are all honest and reliable. I questioned them carefully and selected them carefully. Now that you’re in charge of the whole household, it’s different from before. You need to have capable people around you. There are more than a dozen maids and servants standing in the corridor, all strong and capable, good at sensing the right moments and getting things done. I’ve tried to learn about all of them. There are only a few main maids in your room Cheng’er and Ping’er have also been promoted. Seven new maids have joined the household, three were bought from the brothel, and four were sent by the Eldest Madam, family born. Of course, they can’t be used freely, they’ll only do outside tasks.”

Meinang smiled faintly: “Wang Mama, you handle things as you see fit. Whether they’re good or not will show in time. At that point, you can deal with them however you like. Just come up with an excuse, and send them off wherever you need.”

She then asked Cui Si, who was focused on massaging her ankles: “Did you talk to Xia Lian? What did she say?”

Cui Si looked up: “Replying to Madam, Xia Lian often asks me for embroidery patterns. Sometimes, when I’m holding Heng Ge’er, she teases him. Heng Ge’er seems to recognize her. When he was crying in Qiu Hua’s courtyard, Xia Lian picked him up and immediately calmed him down. That’s why the Eldest Madam has her and the wet nurse take care of Heng Ge’er. When I mentioned Madam’s words to Xia Lian, she promised she would stay with Heng Ge’er and not let anyone else near him unless it’s the Eldest Madam. Miss Zheng from the family will be careful, making sure no one gets too close to Heng Ge’er.”

Meinang nodded: “Heng Ge’er’s wet nurse is too honest and timid, she’s been thoroughly ‘reined in’ by the Eldest Madam. Xia Lian, though, is willing to work with the wet nurse to look after Heng Ge’er. If anything comes up, she’ll let me know, and I’ll reward her later. As for Miss Zheng from the Zheng family… I don’t remember her ever treating me badly, but from what you all say, she seems to be quite unpleasant. I always feel like she’s plotting something against Heng Ge’er.”

Cui Si hesitated and glanced at Wang Mama. Wang Mama sighed: “Say whatever you need to in front of Madam, just don’t spread it outside.”

Cui Si pouted: “I’m not a magpie, I don’t go chattering around!”

Everyone laughed when they saw her expression. Cui Si continued: “Miss Zheng, she’s really not a good person! The bad things she’s done to Madam are endless!”

Cui Xi’s eyes reddened: “We thought Madam wouldn’t make it before, and Miss Zheng scolded Heng Ge’er. We didn’t dare speak up, afraid that one day she’d be the master of this courtyard and treat Heng Ge’er…”

Cui Si spat a few times: “Who does she think she is? I bet Big Master doesn’t like that type! The Zheng family’s Miss is just…”

Cui Jian slapped her: “Shut up!”

Cui Si realized her mistake, blushed, and cautiously looked at Meinang.

Meinang snorted lightly: “Don’t worry, your Madam is fine. As for these relatives, they’re just relatives, they’ll never become the true madam.”

She frowned slightly and looked at Wang Mama: “But speaking of which, we still have to be careful. The Eldest Madam mentioned wanting to make Miss Zheng a concubine for our lord!”

Wang Mama froze, and the maids were all stunned.

Meinang, seeing their reaction, smiled: “Look at you all, you’re more upset than I am. Does she like the lord? Cui Si said the lord doesn’t like her. Let’s come up with a plan to deal with the Eldest Madam. The best solution is to get Miss Zheng sent back to the Zheng family!”

Cui Si perked up: “Yes! It would be best if someone went to her house to propose, whether as a wife or concubine, and get her out of here quickly before she keeps thinking about our lord!”

Wang Mama watched Meinang carefully: “The Eldest Madam really dotes on Heng Ge’er, it’s obvious she wants to rely on Heng Ge’er to support her in her old age. Now, Heng Ge’er is her precious boy! If Madam tells the Eldest Madam that Miss Zheng doesn’t like Heng Ge’er and is fated to clash with him, maybe the Eldest Madam will drop the idea.”

“Mm?” Meinang’s eyes sparkled: “The Eldest Madam is clearly obsessed with Heng Ge’er. If she has Heng Ge’er, she can control the lord’s heart. The lord will naturally be extra dutiful to her and listen to her. Anyone who’s a threat to Heng Ge’er won’t be liked by the Eldest Madam… This plan is brilliant! You’re so clever, Wang Mama. I hadn’t thought of that.”

Wang Mama sighed in relief and smiled: “Ah, these matters of fate and astrology are things you young ones don’t understand, which is why you wouldn’t think of it!”

Meinang stretched lazily: “Today was exhausting, but also very productive. I feel like I’ve done a lot!”

Cui Xi said, “The tailor shop people came to measure you for new clothes today and also measured us.”

Meinang nodded: “I told them to measure all of you too. Did anyone get left out? The household allows each lady to have four new outfits made. I’m having six sets made, and you each get two sets of new winter clothes. We’ll cover the extra silver ourselves. That Bai Jing Yu is really unreasonable, not letting me have new clothes made while I’m ill, and not letting you all have any either. What kind of person is that! Cui Xi, you need to go to her shop more often. Just tell them it’s from me and make them hurry up on our clothes. Leave the others aside. Good work takes time, but they have to finish ours properly, especially the color and embroidery. If there’s any mistake, or if the stitching isn’t up to par, I’ll have them all thrown out of the shop! Bai’s Embroidery House is famous for their embroidery, but it doesn’t mean every maid she brings along is capable. There are more than twenty people at the shop, and we have so many clothes to be made for the manor. Why should all the work go to her maids? It’s against the rules! Who knows if they’re eating from Xu’s family but doing work for Bai’s? It’s time for some discipline!”

Wang Mama, worried, asked: “But the Eldest Madam…”

Meinang waved her hand: “Don’t worry. The Eldest Madam knows very well. Everything’s in my hands now. I’m in charge, and Third Madam is just here to help with the small tasks. If the Eldest Madam comes, I’ll welcome her the same!”

Just as she was about to order a bath,

a maid from the corridor called out: “The lord is back!”

Everyone in the room was startled. Cui Si and Cui Xi quickly slid off the couch and stood respectfully by Wang Mama. Cui Jian was walking towards the door when the warm curtain was lifted, and Xu Jun Ying stepped into the room.